System of and apparatus for extinguishing fires



(No Model.) I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. BIRKETT 8: W. MoELROY. SYSTEM OF ANDAPPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES.

5 9 00 N: m E7 7 M n m u Ww d e m M e t a A P WITNESSES: /wz 736% um g3(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. BIRKETT & W. MoELROY. SYSTEM OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHINGFIRES.

ma norms PETERS co, PNOTO-UTNO WASHINGTON. o. c.v

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. BIRKETT & W. McELROY. SYSTEM OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHINGFIRES.-

No. 540,226. Patented June 4, 1895.

(No Model.)

lmiilmnm o E O U IIIIIIIII I' I II I A k v WITNESSE INVENTORS; yflw ep/wA W "4 By their Atzomey I 4 She etsSh eet 4 J. BIRKETT 8v W. MGELROY.SYSTEM 0]? AND APPARATUS FOR BXTINGUISHING FIRES. No. 540,226.

Patented June 4, 1895.

(No Model.)

% By 1%.!!! Attorneys,

W.@h mm (9'0 .J A. In: H A H INVENTORS:

WITNESSES:

Nrrsn STATES ATENT heron.

JOHN BIRKETT AND WILLIAM MGELROY,

OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SYSTEM OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHINGHRES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 540,226, dated June 4,1895.

Application filed February 6, 1893- Serial No. 461,2'76- (No model.)

connection with any suitable system for elec tric distribution, of whichmany are now in use in large cities, among which may be mentioned thetrolley systems for tramway use, and the incandescent and arc lightingsystems which traverse. many city streetsin the form of either overheador underground conductors, or both.

In carrying out the preferred form of our invention we provide certainfeatures of im provement which will forth.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate certain adaptations ofour invention, Figure l is a diagrammatic view showing our improvedengine when used in connection with an incandescent lighting-circuit.Fig. 2 is a similar view'showing the use in connection with a trolleysystem for electrical distribution. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing theuse in connection with a trolleysystem one conductor of which isconnected to the hydrant. Fig. 4 is a similar view of afire-extinguishing system in which the system for distribution ofelectric energy is provided solely for fire-extinguishing purposes. Fig.5 is a side elevation of a fire-extinguishing apparatus constructedaccording to the preferred form of our invention, the apparatus beingpartly in section to show its conbe hereinafter fully set struction moreclearly. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. brokenaway in horizontal section. Fig. HS 2. rear elevation of this apparatus.Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary viewshowing the inner face of theconductor-drum. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the latter, partly in sectionon the line 9 9 in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a plan, and

5, partly Fig. 11 a fragmentary section on a larger scale, of thehydrant.

Referring to the drawings, letA indicate a system for distribution ofelectric energy; E,

the electric generator pertaining thereto; O,

the fire extinguishing apparatus as a whole; D, an electric motorthereon; E, the electric conductors communicating between the sys tem Aand. the motor D; F, a pump on the apparatus operated by the motor D; G,a fire hydrant for supplying the apparatus with water; H, a hose betweenthe hydrant and apparatus, and I a discharge hose for the latter.

The system A may be any known or suitable system for the distribution ofelectric energy. That shown in Fig. 1 is intended to represent anincandescent electric lighting system in which the lamps, showndiagrammatically at J, are arranged in multiple arc, the system beingnormally used to feed these lamps.

The system shown in Fig. i system for tramway roads, the one conductorlettered a being an overhead wire, and the other conductor lettered 17being the usual ground wire which is connected to the rails lettered c,the normal work of the system be ing the propulsion of tramway cars.

The system shown in Fig. 3 is likewise the usual trolley system havingthe. usual overhead wire a, and a special connection cl extending fromthe usual ground wire toan adjacent hydrant.

The system shown in Fig. 4 is a special system provided exclusively foruse in a fire extinguishing system, and consists of two ordinaryconductors, all the hydrants of the system being connected in the linein series.

The apparatus "C may be any suitable fire extinguishing apparatus whichcan be operated by electric energy. It is shown as a portable apparatuscomprising an electric motor for operating the usual pump, and electricconductors E for making connection betweenthismotor and the system A.These 2 is a trolley conductors E may be of anysuitable or knownconstruction depending upon the" character of electric system with whichthe apparatus is to be used. According to one feature of ourinvention,the conductors E are of improved construction and arepreferably constructed for use either to make connection where specialconnecting points (as shown in ICC i L with conductors g and Fig. 1) areprovided on the system A, or where the trolley syster'nas shown in Fig.2 is to be utilized. Where special points of connection are provided, asshown in Figs. 1 and 4, these contact points, lettered K in thedrawings, constitute any suitable or known means for establishingelectric connection between the electric system A and the motor D of theapparatus O. r

In the construction shown in Fig. 1,conductors lead from the line of thesystem to the contact points K, and these conductors, E, consist of anysuitable electric conductors e and fmaking connection with those fromthe line at the contact points K, and leading from there to theapparatus 0, and terminating respectively in contact posts 9') on theapparatus, connected by the arms of a switch h leading to the motor D.In the construction shown, auxiliary conductors e" and f are shown, theformer consisting of a trolley pole M, and afl ording electriccommunication through the trolley pole to the contact post 6', and thelatter consisting of any suitable electric wire having a contact pin andconnected at its one end to the contact post f, and constructed toafford electrical communication between this post and the track of atrolley road. In Fig. 1, only the conductors e and f are shown as inuse, the conductors e and f not being required when the special contactpoints K are provided. With this construction the apparatu's G can beused in connection with a trolley, as shown in Fig. 2,where suchconnection is available, and at other points with the special contactpoints K. In the former case the electric communication will be throughthe overhead wire a, and trolley pole M and wire 6'' to the binding post6', thence through the switch L and wire 9 to the motor, and fromthelatter through the wireh to the other post f, and thence through thewiref to the track 0, and back through the other conductor b of thesystem.

When the trolley system is utilized in the manner shown in Fig. 3, aspecial wired from the return wire 6 of the system running to a contactpoint K in or near the hydrant G, the conductors E will consist of thetrolley pole M and its wire e", the switch L and the wires leading fromand to the latter from the motor D, and the single wiref from the switchto the contact point K. In this arrangement theelectric current willpass from the overhead wire through the apparatus to the branch wire 01,and from the latter to the return wire b.

In using thespecial circuit shown in Fig. 4:, the contact-points K willbe arranged in or near each hydrant, andthe apparatus will be connectedto them in the same manner as shown in Fig. l. The motor D may be anysuitable construction of electric motor capable of mechanical connectionwith the pump of the apparatus for operating such pump. The hydrants Gmay be the ordinary fire hydrants now in use, or any suitable source ofdiate of these brackets the field supply for supplying wateror otherfire extinguishing matter to the apparatus. In installing ourimprovements, convenient provision is made for making the electricconnection between the apparatus 0 and the distributing system A at eachhydrant, after which in operating with this system, the apparatus isdrawn to the point where required for use, the electrical connection iscompleted, and the connection is made between the pump and hydrant,whereupon the tire engine may be operated as required.

Having thus described the general features of our improved system andapparatus, we will now describe in detail the preferred form of ourimprovedtire engine, referring particularly to Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive.In these figures the apparatus 0 is shown as constructed with aframework N supported at front and rear on axles 0 carried by wheels Pasusual. Preferably the forward portion of the framework is bowed upwardlyto permitfree turning of the front wheels on the fifth wheel Q of thevehicle. Preferably the frame N has depending portion R at rear, onwhich is mounted the motor D. The latter is constructed in the form hereshown of a baseplate 1' bolted to the frame N, and carrying at its upperside the'bearing bracketsjj for the armature shaft lc of the motor, andintermemagnets Z, the pole pieces of which embrace the armature m attop, while on their lower portions are wound the field coils n.

0 indicates the commutator, and p p the brushes.

In the construction shown a worm S is car- ;ried on the outer end of thearmature shaft .70 of the motor, and gears with a worm-gear S rotativelymounted on the stud of a bracket '8", which gear carries an outwardlyprojecting crank-pin g on its side engaging a slot q in the upper end ofa lever T fulcrumed on the rear axle O of the apparatus, and con nectedat its other end by a link q with the piston rod 1' of the pump F. Bythis construction the operation of the motor will be communicatedthrough the worm-gear S and its pin q to oscillate the lever T, andthrough the latter reciprocate the piston rod of the pump to operate thelatter.

The pump F may be of any suitable construction and location.Preferablyit is bolted against the under side of the frame N beneath themotor D, the two being held in position on the frame by bolts 8 servingto clamp them against the top and bottom sides of the frame. Preferablythe inlet of the pump is at one side, and constructed with a couplingneck 5, and the outlet is at the opposite side of the pump andconstructed with a coupling neck 5''. Communication can be affordedbetween the inlet side of the pump and the hydrant or other source ofsupply by any suitable length of hose, as H, and a like hose, as I, canbe coupled to the discharge neck 5 for delivering the discharge from thepump to the point of use. Preferably'the frame is constructed withupwardly extending arms N at rear, which arms carry in bearings at theirupper ends a shaft N", on which is fixed a hose-drum N' disposed betweenthe arms N. On this drum N' is wound alength of hose H which can be usedto afford communication between the hydrant G and the pump of theengine, where it is desired that the latter shall be at some distancefrom the hydrant. The usual ratchet and pawl H" is provided for lockingthe drum against rotation.

According to our invention we also provide a conducto ror cabledrum E,preferably mounted freely on the outer end of the shaft N", upon which alength of cable E" can be wound for use when it is desired to affordcommunication between the contact points K and the engine, when thelatter is at some distance from these points. A ratchet and pawl 11 isprovided for locking the drum E against rotation.

The apparatus is shown as constructed with the electric conductors Edescribed with reference to Fig. 1. In the particular constructionshown, these conductors consist of the positive wire e and the negativewiref, each terminating in a contact plug or handle at one end,andunited intothe cable E",extending to and wound upon the drum E, andfixed at its other end to said drum as shown in Fig. 9. At its drum endthe wires 6 andfleave the cable and pass through the side of the drum,the wire being electrically connected to an insulated metallic contactring e, and the wiref being connected to a similar but smaller metalliccontact ringf arranged within the other ring and both concentric withthe axis of rotatibn of the drum and fixed on the inner side Wallthereof. On the adjacent arm N is mounted a block U of insulatingmaterial, on which are fixed contact springs 6 and f, the former makingelectrical contactwith the ring 6", and the latter with the ringf. Tothese contact springs are connected respectively wires 25 and a, whichpass through a pipe V fixed at one end of the arm N, and at its otherend to the seat W at the other endof the apparatus, and emerge at theother end of the pipe and make electrical contact respectively with thecontact posts 6 and f, whereby complete electrical communication existsbetween the contact plugs at the ends of the wires e f, and the contactposts 6 f. The auxiliary conductors for use with the trolley in thisinstance consist of the trolleypole M, which is pivoted on a bracket M,and Weighted at its lower end, with which the Wire 6 makes electricalconnection at one end, while its other end makes electrical connectionwith the positive contact post 6'. The other member of the auxiliaryconductor consists of the wiref", which makes elect ical connection withthe negative contact post f at one end and carries at its other end acontact plug constructed to be driven in beside the rail of a tramwaytrack, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, when used as one of theconductors E, and to be hung on one of the hooks u at the side of theseat WV when not used. The auxiliary conductor will afford when in useelectrical connection between the overhead trolley wire a at top and thepositive contact post e, and from the negative contact post f throughthe wiref to the rail 0 through which the current would be in connectionwith the return wire of a trolley system. Preferably a lock V isprovided copsisting of a chain engaging a hook for securing the trolleypole when in the inactive position.

The switch L may be of any suitable construction. It is shown asconsisting of two switch-arms g and it connected to, insulated from, andoperated by, a hand-lever X, all being preferably placed on the side ofthe seat 7. The conductor 9 leads from the switcharm g through thepositive brush 1) of the motor, and the conductor it leads from thenegative brush p of the motor to the switcharin it. Thus when the switchL is thrown on, there will be complete electrical communication betweenthe motor and the conductors E.

The contact points K are preferably disposed within the hydrant G insuch manner that they will be inaccessible to other than personsauthorized to open the hydrants, whereby danger of accident is avoided.Preferably they consist of a box to having positive contact springs inand negative contact springs w", adapted respectively to receive theplugs of the wires 6 andf, and in electrical communication with therespective conductors of a system for distribution of electric energy.

We prefer to construct the hydrant G as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, Whereit has the usual water conduit and valve rod therefor, and locking boltfor preserving its cover in the closed position when out of use, and inaddition, according to our invention, is 0on structed with a lateralpocket G at top, closed by a corresponding projection on the hydrantcover, which pocket contains the contact points and switch for makingconnection between the system for electric distribution and the fireengine. Preferably a box to, of in? sulating material and having an opentop is fitted into this pocket G, and the conductors to b of the systemA rise through a tube in the hydrant and enter this box, terminating incontact springs a 19 therein, which springs bear against a disk switch Kin the box. This switch has conducting pieces a b", on its periphery,and is constructed intermediately of these pieces with an insulatingmaterial, and has a projecting handle by which it is shifted from oneposition to the other. The springs to w" are each mounted in this box toand have contact springs w 10" respectively which bear against saidswitch K and are disposed in relation to the conducting parts a" b andthe contact springs or b in such manner that when the switch is turnedto the one position electrical communication will exist between theconductors: a b and the springs to w", andwhen it is turned to the-otherposition such communication will be interrupted. This is a safe andconvenient arrangement of the contact points K, whereby access to themcan onlybe had by those able to open the hyd-rant G, and the plug pinsof the conductors E'can be adjusted in the contact springs w 20conveniently and without danger before the switch K is turned on,whereby the flow of current can be controlled at the hydrant.

In operating our invention when the appa- 'ratus used is that shown inFigs. 5 to 9 inclusive, the engine will be drawn to the hydrant or othersource of Water supply nearest to the point of use, and if the trolleysystem is the source from which the electric current is taken, thetrolley pole will be thrown in contact with the wire a overhead, and theconductorf" will be put in contact with the rail 0 of the track beneathby driving its contact plug alongside'the latter. The connection betweenthe hydrant G and pump F will be made by the hose H, whereupon the pumpcan be driven to throw a stream of water by closing the circuit with theswitch L. To stop the motor the switch need only be shifted to the otherposition. If the contact points K are utilized instead of a trolleysystem, when the apparatus arrives at the hydrant the latter will beopened and the contact plugs of the wires 6 andfwill be insertedin-their respective contact springs on the box to, whereupon theapparatus can be operated as before. If, however, it is desired toremove the engine to some distance from the hydrant or from the contactpoints, then the hose H on the drum H" will be connected to the hydrantG after the electrical connection has been made just as described, thepawls for locking the drums N and E will be freed, whereupon the enginecan be drawn to the point desired, the hose H and cable E beingunreeled' as the engine progresses, after which the other end of thehose H may be connected to the inlet neck 5' of the pump, whereupon theapparatus can be operated as before, drawing water through the hose Hand discharging it through the hose 1, and receiving its electricalenergy through the conductors within the cable E".

said conductors 25 and u, and extending backwardly and connected to saidframe at rear,

shaft N" carried by said frame, drum E rotatively mounted on said shaft,rings e f fixed on the in n'erside of and rotating with said dru m,conta'c't pieces e"f" connected respectively to said wires t and u andbearing respectively on said rings, cable E wound on said drum, andconductors e and f traversing said cable and connected respectively atone end to said rings, and having at their other end contactpinsformaking electrical connection g and h between said switch and motor,conductors tand u leading from said switch, tube V connected to'sja'idseat at one end inclosing said conductors 25 and u, and extendingbackwardly-and-connected' to said frame at rear, shaft N" carried bysaid frame, drum E rotatively mounted on said shaft, rings e'f" fixed onthe-inner side of and rotating with said drum, contact pieces efconnected respectively to said wires t and u and bearing respectively onsaid rings, cable E wound on said drum, and conductors e and ftraversing said cable and connected" respectively at one end to saidrings, and having at their other end contact pins for making electricalconnection with the terminalsof an electric circuit, a trolley pole Mcarried by said drum, conductor 6" between said pole and switch, andwire f" connected with said switch and carrying a contact pin for makingelectrical connection with the ground conductor of a trolley system,said contact-pins constructed with perforated heads and said seat Wcarrying hooks o for supporting said pins.

3. In an electric fire engine comprising a pump, a motor for driving thelatter and conductors for making connections for a system of electricdistribution, the hose drum N, the frame N and the shaft N mounted insaid frame and carrying said drum, in combination with the cable drum Emounted on said shaft exteriorly of said frame, and rotativeindependently of said hose drum, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

4. The combination with a fire hydrant, of electric conductors risingtherethrough, a tube therein and closing said conductors, a box Wconnected to said tube, a switch K in said box, and contact springs to win said box constituting respectively terminals of said conductors whensaid switch is in one position, and cut out therefrom when said switchis in the other position, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

In witness whereof We have hereunto signed our names in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

JOHN BIRKETT. WILLIAM MoELROY. Witnesses:

GEORGE H. FRASER, CHARLES K. FRASER.

in A v I I

